Feb. 21 is deadline for MDA livestock grants

Tuesday

Feb 11, 2014 at 2:40 PM

There is still $1 million up for grabs in grant funding for livestock producers in Minnesota for on-farm improvements.

There is still $1 million up for grabs in grant funding for livestock producers in Minnesota for on-farm improvements. The grant s aims to help farmers stay competitive by reinvesting in the industry. Since 2008 when the program began, 237 grant recipients have invested an estimated $75 million in upgrades to operations.

Qualifying producers will be reimbursed ten percent of the first $500,000 of investment, with a minimum investment of $4,000. Qualifying expenditures include the purchase, construction or improvement of buildings of facilities for the production of livestick, and the purchase of fencing as well as feeding and waste management equipment, according to a news release from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.

Producers who suffered a loss due to natural disaster or unintended consequence are also eligible for grant dollars. However, the grant will not pay for livestick or land purchases, or for the cost of debt refinancing.

Even if a livestock producer has applied in years past, and did not receive a grant, they will need to reapply to be considered in 2014. The grants are intended to help start projects, not complete works in progress. They will be funded competitively, based on how well applicants score.

The deadline is Feb. 21, 2014. More information can be found at www.mda.state.mn.us/livestockinvestmentgrant